Stay Vigilant Despite Drop in COVID-19 Cases, President Jokowi says

President Joko Widodo (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Monday (06/09) ordered his Cabinet to remain vigilant although the number of COVID-19 cases in the country has seen a drop.

The President made the statement during a live-streamed limited meeting on evaluation of public activity restriction (PPKM) implementation with his Cabinet from Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.

The President also ordered his Cabinet to maintain good communication with the people about the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent excessive euphoria, while stressing that this virus can be controlled, but it can never disappear completely.

“The people need to be aware that COVID-19 still lingers. The Delta variant always watches us. Once we let our guard down, [the number of cases] can surge again,” he said.

The Head of State also said he noticed that daily COVID-19 cases in the past three days have seen a decrease and the national bed occupancy rate has also dropped to 20 percent.

Nevertheless, the President ordered his Cabinet to continue carrying out thorough evaluation on COVID-19 case development in the regions as it is important in managing COVID-19 cases and decreasing transmissions.

“If we continue our work consistently, I believe that, God willing, at the end of September, we will have fewer than 100,000 [cases],” he said, while urging related Ministers, especially Minister of Transportation, to pay attention to and remain vigilant on the new Mu variant.

“Do not let this jeopardize the achievements we have made,” he remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (DH/EP)